Being on an Eligibility List and receiving a Notification of Certification does not guarantee an appointment. The Appointing Authority that requested the Certification will conduct a pre-employment screening of eligibles that responded as interested to the Notification of Certification and can appoint any one of the top three interested eligibles that successfully complete the pre-employment screening in accordance with the Rule of Three.

On Open Competitive Exam Lists veterans that pass a Civil Service examination go to the top of the list in rank order. Eligibles are ranked in the following order on open competitive lists:

Disabled Veterans (in rank order)

Veterans (in rank order)

Non Veterans (in rank order)

NOTE: On Police Officer and Fire Fighter lists, children of Police Officers and Fire Fighters that died in the line of duty are ranked above non veterans.

On an open competitive Certification, an interested veteran cannot be bypassed. The interested veteran must be appointed or removed for cause.

On Promotional Exam Lists there is no distinction between veterans and non veterans i.e.; an eligible is ranked solely by final average, regardless of veterans' status. The only exception is when there are veterans and non veterans within a tied rank; in that case, Veterans are listed above non veterans.

For example, a promotional Certification is issued with the names of three interested eligibles. One veteran is ranked number 1, one veteran is ranked number 3 and a non veteran is ranked number 2. The Appointing Authority can appoint either the veteran ranked number 1 or the veteran ranked 3. The department cannot appoint the number 2 ranked, non veteran.

Conversely, if an interested non veteran heads a promotional Certification, then the Rule of Three applies i.e., any one of the top three interested eligibles can be appointed regardless of veterans' status. For example, a promotional Certification is issued with the names of three interested eligibles. One non veteran is ranked number 1, one non veteran is ranked number 3 and a disabled veteran is ranked number 2. The department can appoint any of the top three eligibles. Veterans' Preference does not apply. The disabled veteran can be bypassed and the number 3 ranked, non veteran can be appointed.

A Disposition Notice advises whether you have been bypassed on a Certification, suspended from future certification, removed from the eligibility list or that the Certification has been cancelled. In addition, the Disposition Notice advises you of your right to appeal and the procedures that must be followed to file an appeal. If you disagree with the reason that you were bypassed, suspended or removed on a Certification, you have 20 days from the date on that Disposition Notice to submit a written appeal to the Civil Service Commission.

This request must be submitted to your former employer within three years from the date of resignation, retirement or voluntary demotion since the Reemployment List only has a three (3) year duration from the effective date. Click here for the Application for Reemployment.